Sergino Dest, who was linked with a summer move to Manchester United, has been dropped from AC Milan’s Champions League squad.
With Aaron Wan-Bissaka seemingly out of favour, Erik ten Hag was keen to sign a right-back to provide cover and competition for Diogo Dalot.
Spanish newspaper AS reported in late August that Dest was keen on a move to Old Trafford and viewed the Red Devils as a good exit route for him
But a move for the 23-time USA international, who played under Ten Hag at Ajax, never came to fruition and the Barcelona right-back joined Milan on the final day of the summer transfer window on a season-long loan.
Former Manchester United target Sergino Dest dropped from AC Milan’s Champions League squad
While Wan-Bissaka is in the midst of a renaissance at the Theatre of Dreams, given his future under Ten Hag looked somewhat bleak, Dest’s fortunes with the Rossoneri have taken a turn for the worst.
Dest, who played 38 times under Ten Hag in Amsterdam before he was sold to the La Liga side for £19 million, has made 14 appearances for the reigning Serie A champions this season.
But across the Champions League and Serie A, the 22-year-old has only made three starts under Stefano Pioli.
According to The Mail, Milan’s only other change to their Champions League group stage squad sees Malick Thiaw come in for Dest.
Dest did feature in Milan’s first four Champions League games, but he played no part in the remaining two.
Dest started all four of USA’s World Cup games in Qatar.
Milan will face Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League last-16, but Dest won’t feature against Antonio Conte’s Spurs.
Given how Dest has failed to impress in Milan, it would be a surprise to see Manchester United reignite interest in the American come the summer.